Now Commenting On:

Butler the odd man out for opener vs. Phils

Email

Print

Butler's RBI groundout 0:18

4/3/13: Billy Butler plates Alex Gordon with a ground ball to short in the sixth inning

By Mike Radano
/
Special to MLB.com |

PHILADELPHIA -- When manager Ned Yost sat down to make out his lineup for Friday afternoon's game at Citizens Bank Park, he knew that his toughest decisions had to do with first base, right field and designated hitter. Without a DH in the National League Park, he had to fit three players into two spots.

In other words, of the threesome that included Billy Butler, Jeff Francoeur and Eric Hosmer, one would have to sit. On this day, it fell to Butler to start the day on the bench.

"We have three guys going for two spots," Yost said. "Francoeur had good numbers off of [Phillies starter Kyle] Kendrick. It's just one of those deals in that we wanted Francoeur to play. We have a right on right then a left on right today. Billy will play first tomorrow."

In 22 at-bats vs. Kendrick entering Friday's game, Francoeur had nine hits for a .409 average with a home run and three RBIs. Francoeur, who is the only Royals hitter with significant numbers against Kendrick from his time in Atlanta, added a single in his first at-bat.

"It's different when an American League club comes to a National League city," Yost said. "One of your players just has to sit. These are guys who are used to playing every day and we'll just have to juggle it."

Mike Radano is a contributor to MLB.com. This story was not subject to the approval of Major League Baseball or its clubs.